Bagg, Theodora Myers, of Needham MA and Christmas Cove ME died on Saturday, 6 November 2010, in the company of her two daughters, Priscilla B. Donham and Perrin B. Heard. Known as Teddy to her friends and Grammy to her 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, she was a woman of enormous energy. The image one holds of her is leaning forward on the edge of a chair, anticipating the next adventure and asking “what’s next?”. In her eyes, sloth was the one truly cardinal sin. At age 88 she traveled to Machu Picchu, following which, she boated down the Amazon River.
She was born 95 years ago in Elizabeth NJ to Edward Allen and Theodora Winslow Myers. Her education took place at the Vail Deane School, Kent Place School, and Smith College, from which she graduated in 1937. At Smith, she won many academic and athletic prizes and became Treasurer of her class, a position she held for decades. That same year she married Aaron Moore Bagg and, after a wedding trip to Europe, settled in Holyoke MA, the home of her husband’s family. In 1955 they moved to Dover MA where she was a regular member of The Dover Church for over 50 years. Her husband died in 1971.
Family, music and tennis were her passions. All her grandchildren and great grandchildren received gifts of piano and tennis lessons from her. She took many of them to the Boston Symphony where she held season tickets for decades. Until back surgery sidelined her, she was a regular competitor on the tennis courts, beginning as a young child. She won the Ladies Singles Tennis Cup in Christmas Cove 18 times, the first time as a 16 year old. The trophy was subsequently named the Teddy Bagg Cup and she awarded it annually through the summer of 2010. Maine held a special place in her heart for 83 years, beginning in Alford Lake Camp in Hope. She transmitted this affection to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, most of whom joined her for all or part of each summer.
Until very recently, she was an active member of a play reading group, a book club, the Dover Garden Club, and a thrice weekly Bridge player. Her remarkable memory and facility with numbers made her a sought after partner and a formidable opponent. Perhaps her principal legacy will be her relationship with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she taught much; correct English, social graces, sailing, fishing, rowing, knot tying, a desire for doing the best you were capable of and an appreciation for enthusiasm. “Go for it”, she would frequently remind them.
Funeral services will be held at The Dover Church, Dover MA at 10:00 AM on Thursday 18 November 2010, her 95th birthday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln MA. www.lawlerfuneralhome.com
Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home
617-323-5600